Thursday, February 01, 2007

'Bama's Four Million Dollar Man has yet to coach his first game for the Crimson Tide yet he already finds himself in hot water: In an interview which Saban thought was "off the record," he used a term considered derogatory to Cajuns while recounting a telephone conversation he had.

Now, having not grown up in Louisiana, I have to admit that I'm not familiar with the phrase that Saban used to describe a Cajun. But I have to say, it sounds really bad (and has its own Wikipedia entry as also pointed out by Deadspin).

Classy stuff, Nick.

Also, after this, I can't imagine Saban will have much success trying to recruit the next Bobby Hebert or Jake Delhomme. Or this product of the Bayou...

P.S. You have to think Mike Price is saying to himself today, "What the fuck?! I score with some hot strippers and get fired by Alabama; Saban starts tossing around ethnic slurs and he's the highest paid coach in the land. Ain't that some shit."

35 comments:

I live in Texas and spend a good deal of time in LA, and "Coon ass" is a very common phrase. It's basically analogous to Yankee or redneck. My dentist is from LA and I call him coon ass in front of his staff. It really is no big deal and I have never heard of anyone being offeded by it. It's almost a term of endearment. This will do nothing to hurt Saban's recruiting.

So that's how The Bammer Nation is going to spin this disaster? I have a question:

African-Americans use the "N" word to refer to themselves at times, as the Cajuns use the "C" word...

So substitute the "N" word for the "C" word in Saban's little attempt at humor. Does that make you feel any more comfortable?

Then substitute any of the other racial epithets you can think of (I leave that to your imagination). Feel even BETTER about it?

Nope... sorry... I don't buy into the sophomoric rationalization. Maybe this would play well in 1930's Germany, or in Tuscaloosa in 1963 (anybody remember Bammer's most famous grad standing in the schoolhouse door?) - but not today.

Coonass is not a derogatory nickname for Cajuns. It is commonly used. I dislike the University of Alabama for much of what it represents, but I can admit this is getting blown way out of proportion. It has nothing to do with a very derogatory term that some racist wite trash use for blacks, "Coons", except the first four letters. It's not intended to a reference to that usage at all. Coonass has been used to describe folks from LA for a long time (whether cajun or not), so it is certainly not an ethnic term anymore than "Yankees" are for folks from the north; "hillbillies" are for folks from KY, WV, or TN; "Georgia crackers" are for folks from GA (used for blacks and whites), "Upers" for Upstate MI folks, etc. It's even less offensive than if he were to refer to someone as "hayseed", "redneck", etc. So, Rtbdthrtr, get over yourself.

I'd be interested in BiB's response as well seeing how he's from Bama.

If it was a great thing to say, why did Saban want to be off the record? (Answer: Because "coon-ass" is an ethnic slur.)

Why did he issue the non-apologetic apology? Why does he seek to distance himself from his own words? (Answer: Saban thought it was a funny story, and he was repeating it so that his press "buddies" would think he/Saban is funny, too. But now that it's public knowledge, Saban wants to blaim somebody/anybody else.)

If it was so innocuous, why didn't he just issue a statement saying "All those people down there are coon-asses, so what?" (Answer: Louisiana is a great place to recruit football talent - if you don't insult the entire state with ethnic epithets, that is.)

The FACT is that what Saban said was and is an ethnic slur, on par with the "N" word - otherwise, he wouldn't have felt it necessary to "apologize" (spin). There's no debate on that point, only the Bammer homers' rationalizations.

FIRE HIM. NOW. HE'S A SCUMBAG.

Or better yet, keep him, Bammers! It'll be just one more of the countless reasons why Bama continues to be the laughing stock of the nation.

One of my three very best friends growing up was a coonass. His father was one of our town's obstetricians. It was a big, wonderful family (7 kids). They were all platinum blonde, tanned and attractive. Not exactly what you would call "ethnic."

Doc was from Louisiana, as was his beautiful wife. Their last names both had French connotations, and they had the accent, so no one ever doubted their claim to be "Cajun."

Everyone in this family was referred to as a coonass at one time or another, and they didn't blink when anyone outside the family referred to them by that term. When their relatives came to visit, they were called coonasses also.

That's all I can say about the term from my own experience. I wouldn't go down to Slidell or Atchafalaya right now and start throwing that term around myself. I might get barbecued (or blackened, umm...). But I really don't think it's going to have a big impact on Nick's recruiting in LA.

rtbdthrtr does bring up an interesting point, however. Nick got caught trying to be something he's not - a funny, everyday guy. Let's say Bobby Bowden tells this same story. There might be some outcry, but most would probably say that's just Bobby being folksy (dadgummit).

With Nick, everyone's taken aback; first by the mere attempt at humor, second at the far from mainstream term, and third at the other language he used as the punchline of the story - "That son of a bitch, I feel like he's fucking my wife."

Nick's strength is obviously football, not spin control. He couldn't do it in Miami, and he can't do it in Tuscaloosa. He should play to his strengths and never attempt a humorous remark again.

Most LA folks I know, especially with deep roots in the state, refer to themselves as Coonasses themselves. I've never heard a Cajun offended by this comment. Will they be because their ex-coach says it, yes. But they should ask themselves: "Why is this reporter releasing this now instead of when it happened a month ago?" It would appear he did not care about the comment itself, but more about making a headline for himself. Why not release it when Saban was already being roasted for taking the BAMA job? Why wait till most of the criticism has died down and THEN release it? A week before signing day at that?

If this was reported when it happened, I'd be the first BAMA fan to say "Give him a slap for stepping out of bounds." But a month later? This isn't about a negative term, it a writer looking for his big break.

And Mr. War-we can't make up our minds what our mascot really is- Eagle. Been to any good frat parties lately? I've got plenty of pictures from your last "bonfire" if you'd like to share. Speaking of black faces......

rtb: Well aren't you the pot calling the kettle black. Nation's univeristy of white trash...talk about a stereotypical a$$. Do you plan out your hypocritical statements of the day, or are you naturally that dumb?

Sheez---You enlightened elitists are SOOOO sensitive...I mean, really, the word Coon Ass was CLEARLY central to Saban's story and the joke, and not racist AT ALL.

Why? B/c the dumbass Cajuns you read about in the paper yesterday, and last week, and last year and the last couple of years are clearly morons. So whether or not the joke is funny is a matter of opinion. But to say it is racist is absurd.

Do me a favor and cram it up your far left nostril. It isn't bad enough that we have to worry/deal with real racism in todays society but now we get to deal with people like you. Half wits who think they are somehow spirtually tuned in and informed about every nuance of American culture. These same people who get upset on behalf of others who aren't really upset. If your so desperate to create conflict go tell your significant other that you littered today. As for the dumbass cajun remark, that's a little harsh considering his backyard, but he's a grown man and he'll pay the price in one way or another. Sorry to cut this short but I'm on my way to a spotted owl feed in my suburban.

Never had a pony tail in my life. Nor have I ever worn the official uniforms of the Bammer Nation (wifebeaters, NASCAR t-shirts, and exposed K-Mart special neon-colored thongs).

I'm just doing my part to expose The Bammer Nation for what it is - and how it's never going to change - not even if all the snaggle-toothed Bammer homers and apologists all sing with one voice like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Easter Sunday.

They're still Bammers. They will always be Bammers. And they cannot help being themselves.

I'm just surprised Saban became one of them so quickly. It must be in the Tuscaloosa County water system. (YUCK)

P.S. You can shoot all the spotted owls you want; it isn't possible for me to care less.

AND....thank goodness ya'll didn't go out and do the faux muslim bomber thing for real--cuz look what they are doing to the yahoos from Turner Broadcasting regarding the "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" adverts.I'm happy to say that at least I no longer can be accused of OVER-REACTING?!!! :-)

How did this become rasist? Cajuns origins are French Canandians that moved to LA due to persecution. They call themselves Coonass, Ive even heard them refer to themselves on radio talk shows down here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in Slidell LA. The term Coonass is not alaogous to the N word. One is derogatory (Nword) the other is a term of endearment.

Iv'e read about the so called ethnic slur. I suppose any term such as "ethnic" can be made derogatory given the context in which it is used. Oh, by the way everyone is ethnic not just those other people.

I am married to a guy from South Louisiana, and I call him, his family and his friends coonass all the time. Same as redneck or cracker. No big deal. But I must admit that as an Auburn fan, I am loving this. Anything that shines a bad light on bammer works for me.

The bigger impact of Saban's stupid comment, in my opinion, is this: Before, the LSU-bammer game was just another must win conference game for both teams - no animosity or rivalry, just a game. Now, thanks to Saban and his stupid comments, the road to any kind of championship for bammer has to run through the minefields of Baton Rouge as well as those in Auburn and Knoxville. Saban has turned this game into a big old circle on the LSU calendar - yet another game for bammer where emotion and hatred will overshadow the actual play. These kinds of games can take a mental and physical toll on players. These are the make or break your season type of games, and getting up for it three times a year (and two weeks in a row, with LSU coming right before Auburn) will cause problems for the bammer team.

During his time at LSU, Auburn was the closest thing to a rivalry Saban had, and it was usually a hard fought game among two teams that respected each other. Now Saban has three games every season where the opposition wants to kill your ass - three games where the bammer mullet nation will tolerate nothing less than a win. Lose even one, much less two or GOD FORBID all three, and the ignorant, toothless, redneck, sister marrying, mullet sporting, camo-wearing, houndstooth worshiping, mentally defective bammer fans will be screaming hysterically for Saban's $32M head, as they have already made it very clear that he was not paid that much money to go 9-3.

I also bet Saban will need for full body armor and a Pope-mobile when he comes back to Baton Rouge in 2008. I know a LOT of LSU fans who have gone very quickly from "Saban is a God" to "Saban is a dick". And if you have ever been to an LSU night game, when all those coonasses have had all day to get good and likkered up before kick-off, well, you can only imagine what it is gonna be like that night. And I plan on being there with my LSU hubby. As soon as the Auburn-Georgia game is over that day, I will be a Geaux Tiger for the rest of the evening, dressed head to toe in purple and gold. Because as any good Auburn fan knows, our favorite teams are Auburn, Auburn, Auburn and whoever is kicking bammer's ass that day.

The University of Alabama seems to be snakebit ten when it comes to being embarrassed by head football coaches. The Tide can now add Nick Saban to the list.

Saban used a derogatory term for Cajuns while talking with reporters for the Miami news media the day he was introduced as Alabama's new head coach.

We won't repeat the term here. It is a word that some Cajuns use with pride to refer to themselves, but which many would see as highly offensive -- especially when used by an outsider.

Saban should realize that there are a lot of such words in Alabama -- or anywhere for that matter. And it's not just racial and ethnic minorities who can be offended. For instance, it's not uncommon for some white Alabamians to call themselves rednecks with a sense of pride, but Saban needs to know that if he uses that term in some bars in the state, he risks not leaving in one piece.

Saban issued a statement to the news media that only makes matter worse, if for no other reason than what it doesn't say. But what it says is bad enough.

The statement reads: "It was brought to my attention this afternoon that some comments attributed to me are being disseminated on the Internet and in the news media, comments that included wording that can be taken as derogatory by some people. Those comments need to be placed in the proper context, so as to understand the meaning of what was said. The words were used in paraphrasing a story told to me by a friend. I was simply using the same wording used by the person who told me the story. The term in question is not language that I use or condone, and I can understand how some would take offense. However, I think it must be noted that those comments were made 'off the record' and the words merely reflected an anecdote that was told to me using that language."

C'mon, coach, how wimpy and wishy-washy can you get?

Look at what Saban's statement actually says:

"Wording that can be taken as derogatory by some people." It was inevitably going to be seen as derogatory by a lot of people.

"I was simply using the same wording used by the person who told me the story." That sounds like a 5-year-old trying to tell his mother that there was nothing wrong with using a bad word because his friend Timmy did it first.

"The term in question is not language that I use or condone." Of course you used it, coach. They've got you on tape. And by repeating it, you condoned its use.

"I think it must be noted that those comments were made 'off the record.'" That may be the worst part of this statement. Surely Saban doesn't think it's OK to use an ethnic slur when he's "off the record" or just talking casually. That implies that the coach doesn't have a problem with such terms, only with it being reported that he uses them.

But what does the statement not say? It doesn't apologize, either to the people about whom he was speaking or to the University of Alabama, which he embarrassed.

What Saban should have said was: "I used the term, I was wrong, and I apologize."

RTB; Saban's request for 'off the record' had to due with the following statement about 'I feel like he's effen my wife.' As Mango said get real & get serious. you're a clown. Go join J. Carter & take his brother Billy's place. He's missing that clown.

Well, jim, you sound just like all the other Bammer apologists: SHOOT THE MESSENGER, IGNORE THE MESSAGE.

I have to tell you, this whole Saban episode has been high comedy. The Auburn Nation is loving it! You Bammers are just going to insist on being Bammers, and you will INSIST on screwing this up, too. HEHEHEHEHE And the Auburn Nation doesn't have to lift a finger... all we have to do is watch it implode, step by sorry, redneck, white trash, wife-beating, racial slurring, cornpone step. So far, this looks like it's going to be as much fun as "Little Mikey Shula's Great Big Coloring Book Adventure"!

ROWEL TAHD!!!

A question for you: how many more recorded Saban conversations do you think there are out there? HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA

LOL

P.S. I couldn't help but notice all of the celebration - Bammer football finally is off probabtion after FIVE YEARS... and no longer eligible for the repeat offender rule... I guess The Red Elephant Club has the green light to buy players again? Or did they ever stop? Kinda hard to tell...

But of course, bamaperry... EVERY Bammer is a coonass - TODAY. Every one of you. And you ALL have long-term Cajun friends in Louisiana that just long to be insulted by the rest of us (publicly and privately), and that's really OK. Sure. Right.

It couldn't be that you'll say ANYTHING to try to save your racist coach, right? Naaaaa..... no way... couldn't be THAT.

Rtbdthrtr - What?!? You've been called out by nearly every poster on here that you're dead wrong, and not only do you still not have the marbles to man-up, you're still Googling through the internet and posting any little out-of-context reference you can find during your smoking breaks from flipping burgers to try to support your cause. Before you accuse me of getting off the Bammer bus, I'll come right out and say that I despise Bammers as much as I do Barners.

As a lifetime "bammer" and alum I am definitely in the miniority these days...probably a "coonass" as my fellow bammers would coin me. I can't even post my opinion on the UA websites for fear that Saban might send his cronies to kill me. As for this bama girl, now residing out of state...I do not have on the rose colored (or should I say crimson colored) glasses. I am embarassed at the image my university has produced. I personally miss the days of Gene Stallings! Funny I have to go so far North to find some sense on this board!! HAHA LOL. What are we thinking?? That somehow coming to the "Bible belt" this guy is going to undergo some kind of metamorphesis?? I mean, look at the history! How can we be so gullible?? The bottom line is, you don't run a coach out of town the year after he wins a National Championship and ever expect anyone to take you seriously. (referring to Gene Stallings) We have created this "brat-like" image and I personally loathe it. I used to hate the slant the media gave UA and hearing all of the comments from the millions of BAMA HATERS out there. And while I still love my team, the program leaves much to be desired. So I won't renounce my allegiance, but I will accept that we are responsible for our own bed we are laying in. Hopefully after the Nictator leaves us in debt, we will learn the lesson. UUUMMM probably not!! I don't know what the answer is but we do find ourselves in a terrible cycle. For whatever it is worth that is my unpopular opinion, in these parts anyway. But Roll Tide!

As a lifetime "bammer" and alum I am definitely in the miniority these days...probably a "coonass" as my fellow bammers would coin me. I can't even post my opinion on the UA websites for fear that Saban might send his cronies to kill me. As for this bama girl, now residing out of state...I do not have on the rose colored (or should I say crimson colored) glasses. I am embarassed at the image my university has produced. I personally miss the days of Gene Stallings! Funny I have to go so far North to find some sense on this board!! HAHA LOL. What are we thinking?? That somehow coming to the "Bible belt" this guy is going to undergo some kind of metamorphesis?? I mean, look at the history! How can we be so gullible?? The bottom line is, you don't run a coach out of town the year after he wins a National Championship and ever expect anyone to take you seriously. (referring to Gene Stallings) We have created this "brat-like" image and I personally loathe it. I used to hate the slant the media gave UA and hearing all of the comments from the millions of BAMA HATERS out there. And while I still love my team, the program leaves much to be desired. So I won't renounce my allegiance, but I will accept that we are responsible for our own bed we are laying in. Hopefully after the Nictator leaves us in debt, we will learn the lesson. UUUMMM probably not!! I don't know what the answer is but we do find ourselves in a terrible cycle. For whatever it is worth that is my unpopular opinion, in these parts anyway. But Roll Tide!

OK, I am Cajun and an Auburn fan, so i pretty much find this hilarious. First of all, "coonass" is not an ethnic slur, and anyone who thinks it is has never even used the term, met a cajun, and probably never even heard of the word "coonass" before now. Cajuns don't mind if anyone calls them a "coonass" no matter who it is cajun or not, white, black, red, or yellow person; Anyone can call a cajun a "coonass" unless of course its in an offensive matter. example: "Hey you mother****ing coonass, git over here, I'ma whoop yer ass!" Clearly the term "coonass" is offensive here, but only because of the words around it. Whoever made a big deal out of this in the first place has an IQ of 23 and a cultural awareness rating of 0. what an idiot. I hate Nick Saban, but this is retarded, get off his back.

1. you are a giant tool, you have never met a cajun in your life, and you are insanely ignorant. the "'C'word," as you so pussily stated it, is by itself not derogatory and is not analogous to the "N word," which is an ethnic slur which is why I don't use it.

2. read my last post as "Anonymous" for an example in which "coonass" can be offensive.

3. stop raping this blog with your douchebag arguments.

4. you are a whiny liberal no doubt. now don't label me as a mindless conservative, because I'm not conservative at all. there are good liberals and then there are whiny liberals. you are the latter.

Follow the MZone

Subscribe To

The MZone-slash-MichiganZone.net-slash-MichiganZone.blogspot.com is in no way affiliated with the University of Michigan and/or U-M football in any way. If you thought it was, frankly I'm surprised you know how to use a computer.